Topsail Gun Gal: Don't blame others for your fears

Thursday

Mike Myers, Chuckie (the doll) and Freddie Kruger never used a gun and continue to scare the crap out of us and will for generations to come.

Mike Myers, Chuckie (the doll) and Freddie Kruger never used a gun and continue to scare the crap out of us and will for generations to come.

Fear is out there people. Iím afraid every day that something uncontrollable is going to happen ó in case you havenít noticed Iím a control freak ó and every night when I lay my head down I thank the powers that be that we all made it through another day.

I donít blame objects for my fear; a car driven by a drunk driver is still just a car. A broken bottle is still just glass until held by a drunk in a bar fight. Objects are objects. Itís the person in control thatís the issue.

I watch roundtable discussions where people who are anti-gun and pro-gun sit and argue. There is no possible resolution because as humans, we allow emotion to get involved. Now if the panel was made up of Vulcans (Star Trek) and Yoda (from Star Wars) it might be different.

Emotions drive us all; thatís what makes us human and separates us from other creatures. I doubt a goose flying south thinks, ďIím not going that way ó that nasty goose Gertrude is wintering there.Ē

Humans are a great big mess of complexity. You want to know how to curb all violence ó not just guns ó let me give you my two cents.

Go back to the basics. Family and education. Most folks today have little family, forget about extended, and most kids get a bare basic education due to a waste of time with stupid testing (my opinion) and a lack of art and music that calms our souls and brings forth our individual creativity.

We donít look each other in the eye anymore; technology has all but taught us we can communicate by text and email, thereby removing personal contact. Iíve even had friends fired from their jobs by a text. What cowardice, but we allow it. Shame, shame on us. In school there has always been bullying, but it makes a big difference if you are face to face in the school yard compared to sending bulk words with no accountability. I am worried about our youth.

Next time you are out at dinner, look around. No one is talking, not unless they forgot their phone at home. No one is giving advice or sharing emotions. Forget about human contact. We sit apart and forget how nice a pat on the back feels or a squeeze of our hand. We have become zombies. Now that is scary!

Remember knowledge is power. Donít be a zombie!

Royal is owner of Surf City Guns and Ammo, mother of two wonderful children, ringmaster of a herd of miniature ponies and an avid member of the Surf City Writers Group and Topsail Book Club.

Email queries and comments about her column to Gun Gal at topsailgungal@aol.com.